Wireless device location services

ABSTRACT

A system for determining location information for a wireless device is described. The system includes a UE, a LE and multiple LMUs. The LE sends, to the LMUs, reception instructions with characteristics of the signal transmission from the UE and each LMU receives, from the LE, the reception instructions. The UE sends a signal transmission. Each LMU receives the transmitted signal from the UE, determines locating information based at least in part of the received signal and sends the locating information to the LE. The LE receives the locating information regarding the transmitted signal and determines a location of the UE based at least in part on the received locating information. Methods, apparatus and computer readable media are also described.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/063,161, filed Mar. 7, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/337,988, filed Jul. 22, 2014, which issued onMar. 8, 2016, as U.S. Pat. No. 9,282,546, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/128,151, filed Jun. 14, 2011, whichissued on Aug. 19, 2014 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,810,393, which claims thebenefit of 371 International Application No. PCT/IB2009/054948, filedJun. 11, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 61/198,632, filed Nov. 6, 2008, which are incorporated byreference as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relategenerally to wireless communication systems, methods, devices andcomputer programs and, more specifically, relate to determining locationinformation for a wireless device.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to provide a background or context to theinvention that is recited in the claims. The description herein mayinclude concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily onesthat have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unlessotherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is notprior art to the description and claims in this application and is notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

The following abbreviations that may be found in the specificationand/or the drawing figures are defined as follows:

-   -   3GPP third generation partnership project    -   A-FLT advanced forward link trilateration    -   BSR buffer status report    -   CQI channel quality indicator    -   DL downlink (eNB towards UE)    -   DM RS demodulation reference signal    -   eNB EUTRAN Node B (evolved Node B)    -   E-OTD enhanced observed time difference    -   EPC evolved packet core    -   E-UTRAN evolved UTRAN (LTE)    -   FCC Federal Communications Commission    -   GPS global positioning system    -   GSM global system mobile    -   LCS location services    -   LE locating entity    -   LMU locationing measurement unit    -   LTE long term evolution    -   MAC medium access control    -   MM/MME mobility management/mobility management entity    -   Node B base station (also eNB)    -   O&M operations and maintenance    -   OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiple access    -   PDCP packet data convergence protocol    -   PHY physical    -   PRACH physical random access channel    -   PUSCH physical uplink shared channel    -   RLC radio link control    -   RRC radio resource control    -   SC-FDMA single carrier, frequency division multiple access    -   S-GW serving gateway    -   SPS semi-persistent scheduling    -   SRS sounding reference signal    -   TTI transmission time interval    -   UE user equipment    -   UL uplink (UE towards eNB)    -   U-TDOA uplink time difference of arrival    -   UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network    -   WCDMA wideband code division multiple access

A communication system known as evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN, also referred toas UTRAN-LTE or as E-UTRA) is currently under development within the3GPP. As presently specified the DL access technique will be OFDMA, andthe UL access technique will be SC-FDMA.

One specification of interest is 3GPP TS 36.300, V8.6.0(2008-September), 3rd Generation Partnership Project; TechnicalSpecification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal TerrestrialRadio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access Network(E-UTRAN); Overall description; Stage 2 (Release 8), incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIG. 1 reproduces FIG. 4.1 of 3GPP TS 36.300, and shows the overallarchitecture of the E-UTRAN system. The EUTRAN system includes eNBs,providing the E-UTRA user plane (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane(RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. The eNBs are interconnectedwith each other by means of an X2 interface. The eNBs are also connectedby means of an S1 interface to an EPC, more specifically to a MME(Mobility Management Entity) by means of a S1 MME interface and to aServing Gateway (S-GW) by means of a S1 interface. The S1 interfacesupports a many to many relationship between MMEs/Serving Gateways andeNBs.

The eNB hosts the following functions:

-   -   functions for Radio Resource Management: Radio Bearer Control,        Radio Admission Control, Connection Mobility Control, Dynamic        allocation of resources to UEs in both uplink and downlink        (scheduling);    -   IP header compression and encryption of the user data stream;    -   selection of a MME at UE attachment;    -   routing of User Plane data towards the Serving Gateway;    -   scheduling and transmission of paging messages (originated from        the MME);    -   scheduling and transmission of broadcast information (originated        from the MME or O&M); and    -   a measurement and measurement reporting configuration for        mobility and scheduling.

The technology to locate mobile devices is gaining ground and thedevelopment of these technologies is in part driven by the United StatesFederal

Communications Commission (FCC) emergency call requirements, where aterminal placing an emergency call must be positioned with a 67%probability within 50 meters and with a 95% probability within 150meters. A GPS system could provide such accuracies when the satellitesare visible to the receiver, but in indoor/urban environments theprobability of determining a GPS position is not high enough to meet therequirement and additional solutions are needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the attached Drawing Figures:

FIG. 1 reproduces FIG. 4 of 3GPP TS 36.300, and shows the overallarchitecture of the E UTRAN system.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of various exemplary electronicdevices that are suitable for use in practicing the exemplaryembodiments of this invention.

FIG. 3 shows a more particularized block diagram of an exemplary userequipment such as that shown at FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified diagram of a location determining systemwhich includes various exemplary electronic devices that are suitablefor use in practicing the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a simplified transmission diagram of an exemplaryembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a logic flow diagram that illustrates the operation of amethod, and a result of execution of computer program instructions, inaccordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a logic flow diagram that illustrates the operation of anothermethod, and a result of execution of computer program instructions, inaccordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A network based trilateration solution, where the uplink transmission ofthe terminal is measured by at least three different measurement unithaving an accurate time reference, offers reasonably good accuracy incity areas where the cell sizes are small and the uplink transmissionmay be detected by multiple measurement units (typically co-located withor even integrated to base stations). Thus, a hybrid solution combiningmultiple positioning techniques (e.g., network based trilateration andGPS) may meet the FCC emergency call requirements.

Uplink time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) is based on the reception ofa transmission from a terminal by multiple sites (regardless of possiblemacro-diversity). In some systems, a signal processing means may be usedto dig out the signal from the interference (e.g., usingpost-processing). There are a number of potential interference sources,for example other mobile devices.

In UTRAN LTE and SC-FDMA systems, an uplink resource may be controlledby one cell. The uplink resource allocation may vary both in time andfrequency domains, e.g., a locationing measurement unit (LMU) may havedifficulties in detecting signals from terminals. This may be due to: 1)There is no similar user identification based on the spreading(scrambling) code; and/or 2) There is no information outside the servingcell which allocated resources to the UE. Thus, the lack of properinformation complicates the task of making location measurements.

In order to provide cellular network based trilateration positioningtechnique to a specific radio access technology two problems need to beovercome: 1) the uplink transmission characteristics of the terminalbeing positioned need to be known in advance by the participating LMUs;and 2) at least three LMUs must be able to detect the signal of theterminal being positioned and measure the received signal timingrelative to a common (and accurate) time reference (e.g., a GPS time).

Based on the received time differences and the known locations of theLMUs the location of the terminal being positioned may be calculated.

Exemplary embodiments in accordance with this invention are related tothe use of an uplink time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) locationpositioning method, for example as a part of eUTRAN. The U-TDOA may bebased on an uplink measurements made in coordination with LMUs.Exemplary embodiments in accordance with this invention may make use ofU-TDOA with uplink multiple access, e.g., SC-FDMA. Additionally,exemplary embodiments in accordance with this invention may be used incooperation with enhanced observed time difference (E-OTD) techniques.

Before describing in further detail the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention, reference is made to FIG. 2 for illustrating a simplifiedblock diagram of various electronic devices and apparatus that aresuitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention.

In FIG. 2 a wireless network 235 is adapted for communication over awireless link 232 with an apparatus, such as a mobile communicationdevice which may be referred to as a UE 210, via a network access node,such as a Node B (e.g., a base station), and more specifically an eNB220. The network 235 may include a network control element (NCE) 240that may include the MME/S GW functionality shown in FIG. 1, and whichprovides connectivity with a network 235, such as a telephone networkand/or a data communications network (e.g., the internet).

The UE 210 includes a controller, such as a computer or a data processor(DP) 214, a computer-readable memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM)216 that stores a program of computer instructions (PROG) 218, and asuitable radio frequency (RF) transceiver 212 for bidirectional wirelesscommunications with the eNB 220 via one or more antennas.

The eNB 220 also includes a controller, such as a computer or a dataprocessor (DP) 224, a computer-readable memory medium embodied as amemory (MEM) 226 that stores a program of computer instructions (PROG)228, and a suitable RF transceiver 222 for communication with the UE 210via one or more antennas. The eNB 220 is coupled via a data/control path234 to the NCE 240. The path 234 may be implemented as the S1 interfaceshown in FIG. 1. The eNB 220 may also be coupled to another eNB viadata/control path 236, which may be implemented as the X2 interfaceshown in FIG. 1.

The NCE 240 includes a controller, such as a computer or a dataprocessor (DP) 244, a computer-readable memory medium embodied as amemory (MEM) 246 that stores a program of computer instructions (PROG)248.

At least one of the PROGs 218, 228 and 248 is assumed to include programinstructions that, when executed by the associated DP, enable the deviceto operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention, as will be discussed below in greater detail.

That is, the exemplary embodiments of this invention may be implementedat least in part by computer software executable by the DP 214 of the UE210; by the DP 224 of the eNB 220; and/or by the DP 244 of the eNB 240,or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware (andfirmware).

The UE 210 and the eNB 220 may also include dedicated processors, forexample processors 215 and processors 225.

In general, the various embodiments of the UE 210 can include, but arenot limited to, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs)having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers havingwireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such asdigital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gamingdevices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage andplayback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internetappliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, as well asportable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of suchfunctions.

The computer readable MEMs 216, 226 and 246 may be of any type suitableto the local technical environment and may be implemented using anysuitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memorydevices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, opticalmemory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The DPs214, 224 and 244 may be of any type suitable to the local technicalenvironment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers,special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors(DSPs) and processors based on a multicore processor architecture, asnon-limiting examples.

FIG. 3 illustrates further detail of an exemplary UE in both plan view(left) and sectional view (right), and the invention may be embodied inone or some combination of those more function-specific components. AtFIG. 3 the UE 210 has a graphical display interface 320 and a userinterface 322 illustrated as a keypad but understood as alsoencompassing touch-screen technology at the graphical display interface320 and voice-recognition technology received at the microphone 324. Apower actuator 326 controls the device being turned on and off by theuser. The exemplary UE 210 may have a camera 328 which is shown as beingforward facing (e.g., for video calls) but may alternatively oradditionally be rearward facing (e.g., for capturing images and videofor local storage). The camera 328 is controlled by a shutter actuator330 and optionally by a zoom actuator 332 which may alternativelyfunction as a volume adjustment for the speaker(s) 334 when the camera328 is not in an active mode.

Within the sectional view of FIG. 3 are seen multiple transmit/receiveantennas 336 that are typically used for cellular communication. Theantennas 336 may be multi-band for use with other radios in the UE. Theoperable ground plane for the antennas 336 is shown by shading asspanning the entire space enclosed by the UE housing though in someembodiments the ground plane may be limited to a smaller area, such asdisposed on a printed wiring board on which the power chip 338 isformed. The power chip 338 controls power amplification on the channelsbeing transmitted and/or across the antennas that transmitsimultaneously where spatial diversity is used, and amplifies thereceived signals. The power chip 338 outputs the amplified receivedsignal to the radio-frequency (RF) chip 340 which demodulates anddownconverts the signal for baseband processing. The baseband (BB) chip342 detects the signal which is then converted to a bit-stream andfinally decoded. Similar processing occurs in reverse for signalsgenerated in the apparatus 210 and transmitted from it.

Signals to and from the camera 328 pass through an image/video processor344 which encodes and decodes the various image frames. A separate audioprocessor 346 may also be present controlling signals to and from thespeakers 334 and the microphone 324. The graphical display interface 320is refreshed from a frame memory 348 as controlled by a user interfacechip 350 which may process signals to and from the display interface 320and/or additionally process user inputs from the keypad 322 andelsewhere.

Certain embodiments of the UE 210 may also include one or more secondaryradios such as a wireless local area network radio WLAN 337 and aBluetooth® radio 339, which may incorporate an antenna on-chip or becoupled to an off-chip antenna. Throughout the apparatus are variousmemories such as random access memory RAM 343, read only memory ROM 345,and in some embodiments removable memory such as the illustrated memorycard 347. The various programs 218 are stored in one or more of thesememories. All of these components within the UE 210 are normally poweredby a portable power supply such as a battery 349.

The processors 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, 350, if embodied as separateentities in a UE 210 or eNB 220, may operate in a slave relationship tothe main processor 214, 224, which may then be in a master relationshipto them. Any or all of these various processors of FIG. 3 access one ormore of the various memories, which may be on-chip with the processor orseparate therefrom. Similar function-specific components that aredirected toward communications over a network broader than a piconet(e.g., components 336, 338, 340, 342- 345 and 347) may also be disposedin exemplary embodiments of the access node 220, which may have an arrayof tower-mounted antennas rather than the two shown at FIG. 3.

Note that the various chips (e.g., 338, 340, 342, etc.) that weredescribed above may be combined into a fewer number than described and,in a most compact case, may all be embodied physically within a singlechip.

In an exemplary embodiment in accordance with this invention, an eNode Bsends (e.g. via the LE) information to an LMU regarding a resourcepattern (e.g., in time, frequency and/or code domains) for a particularterminal. Alternatively, the LMU may be given the time slots when theterminal scheduled. The LE may use this information to coordinateadditional LMUs for determining the location of the terminal.

When an eNB is made aware of the fact that a particular terminal isbeing positioned, for example by a locating entity (LE), the eNB ordersthe terminal to transmit a signal with assigned time and frequencycharacteristics (e.g., TTI, etc.). The signal characteristics the eNBassigns the terminal are also made known to LMUs trying to position theterminal.

In addition the eNB could instruction the terminal to boost the uplinktransmission power in order to increase the probability that asufficiently large number of LMUs detect and measure the timing of theterminal's uplink transmission.

A central entity, such as a locationing entity (LE) (e.g., a locationingserver) instructs an eNB serving a terminal to be located to instructthe terminal to start transmitting a signal used in locationmeasurements. The LE informs at least three LMUs to start seeking forand, if detected, measure the receive timing of the signal. The LMUswill report the measurements (e.g., the received timing relative to acommon time reference, for example, GPS time) to a location calculationentity (e.g., the LE). The locations of the LMUs may be known and thusthe position of the terminal being located can be calculated based onthe time difference of the terminal's signal as observed by the LMUs.

Signal characteristics to be used for the signal to be detected by theLMUs may be pre-negotiated, assigned from the LE, or decided by theserving eNB and subsequently informed (e.g. via the LE) to the LMUs.

The resources (e.g., time-frequency resources) to use for positioningmay be to communicate the parameters used in the configuration of theSRS or PRACH (using dedicated RRC signaling, broadcast signaling, etc.).If positioning based on a dynamically scheduled PUSCH or DM RStransmission is used, the exact frequency allocation, subframes as wellas the DM RS cyclic shift may be signaled explicitly or use apredetermined value, in addition to the relevant serving eNB relatedparameters which may include, e.g., cell identity and parameters relatedto DM RS sequence group hopping, sequence hopping and sequence-shiftpattern. The signaling of the parameters between eNBs could be done overthe X2 air interface or via the backhaul network.

The serving eNB may command a UE to transmit a signal that isdetectable, occurs relatively often and is of sufficient energy andduration for the LMUs to detect and measure its timing. That may be doneby using uplink sounding reference symbols (UL SRS), which may beordered to be sent periodically over a specific time duration sufficientfor the LMUs to measure. Periodic UL SRS may be commanded on once, andoff once, between these commands the terminal may autonomously transmitusing known time and frequency characteristics. Alternatively, the eNBmay indicate a duration for the transmission, avoiding transmitting anoff command later.

If needed, the eNB could configure UL SRSs or simply turn UL SRSs offfor other UEs in order to release sufficient UL SRS resources for thepositioning. The UL SRS resources for the positioning may also bepre-determined.

Another possibility may be the usage of a dedicated PRACH preamble. TheeNB may repeatedly order the UE to transmit a dedicated PRACH preambleon a PRACH channel (or channels). The eNB would send the dedicated PRACHpreamble orders to the UE at times known to the LMUs. Also, otherdedicated preamble parameters could be pre-negotiated with other LMUs(e.g., during initial setup).

The terminal may instead be scheduled to transmit a message at apredetermined time and frequency location. This message may includescheduling information or some other useful information, e.g., anaperiodic CQI report, a Buffer status report (BSR), a demodulationreference signal (DM RS) of a PUSCH transmission, etc.

In another exemplary embodiment in accordance with this invention, a newsignal type could be defined for the locationing signal, e.g., on apre-determined set of sub-frequency/frequencies. The signal could alsobe an existing signal that is reserved or re-defined solely forpositioning. For example, the UE could send, when ordered, apredetermined PRACH preamble at a predetermined PRACH format usingpredetermined frequency resources and periodicity over a specific timeduration. The relevant parameters could be predetermined relative to thePRACH parameters of the cell or assigned in a signal using absoluteterms. A combination of the signaling mechanisms could also be utilized:e.g. with dedicated PRACH preambles and wideband SRS transmissionallowing for a precise positioning estimate. Further, angle, ordirection of arrival measurement of the UE signal at the LMU could alsobe utilized as a way to improve the positioning accuracy. Thismeasurement could be used either alone or as a complementary mechanismwith the U-TDOA methods to further improve positioning accuracy.

Semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) which defines a deterministic time andfrequency transmission pattern may be used by the uplink transmission.

The serving eNB could also boost the uplink transmission power of thetransmitted signal to enhance the probability that at least three LMUscan detect the signal. The uplink power control commands under the eNBsdiscretion may be used for this purpose.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified diagram of a location determining system400 which includes various exemplary electronic devices that aresuitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments of thisinvention. As shown, UE 210 is the mobile device which is having itslocation determined. LMUs 410, 420 and 430 (some of which may beintegrated into eNBs) may detect signals in their respective areas (LMU410 in area 415, LMU 420 in area 425, and LMU 430 in area 435). As show,UE 210 may transmit a signal which may be detected by LMUs 410, 420 and430. LMUs 410, 420 and 430 may send the detected signal (and additionalinformation, e.g., the location information for the LMU) to LE 440. LE440 may be part of a LMU (including LMUs 410, 420 and 430), an eNB, anMME, etc.

FIG. 5 depicts a simplified transmission diagram of an exemplaryembodiment of this invention. As shown, UE 210 is served by eNB 220. Attime 510, LE 440 instructs the eNB 220 to order the UE 210 to transmit asignal for LCS. These instructions may include an assignment of signalcharacteristics. Alternatively, eNB may determine the signalcharacteristics for the signal and inform the LE accordingly (notshown).

At time 520, the eNB 220 transmit orders to the UE 210. These orders mayinclude an assignment of signal characteristics (e.g., specificparameters, reference to a predetermined signal characteristics, etc.).

At time 530, the LE 440 instructs at least three LMUs (e.g., 410, 420,430) to search for a signal from the UE 210. These instructions mayinclude the assigned signal characteristics. Additionally, eNB 220 mayalso search for the signal from the UE 210 (e.g., using an LMU locatedin eNB 220). The signaling performed at times 520 and 530 may occur inany timed order (e.g., 530 may occur before 520).

In response to receiving orders the UE 210 begins transmitting a signalat time 540. If signal characteristics are provided, then the signal mayconform to those characteristics. LMU1 410, LMU2 420 . . . LMUn 430 (andeven eNB 220) may then detect the signal from UE 210. Upon receiving thesignal, the associated LMU may determine a U-TDOA based upon theassigned transmit time and the time of reception.

At time 550, LMU1 410, LMU2 420 . . . LMUn 430 (and even eNB 220)transmit information regarding the received signal (e.g., the U-TDOAinformation) to the LE 440. Additional location information or LMUidentifying information may be sent at this time. Based upon thereceived signal information, the LE 440 may determine the location ofthe UE 210 (e.g., using geometric triangulation, A-FLT, etc.).Alternatively, a separate device may receive this information anddetermine the location of the UE 210.

Based on the foregoing it should be apparent that the exemplaryembodiments of this invention provide a method, apparatus and computerprogram(s) to determining location information for a wireless device.

FIG. 6 is a logic flow diagram that illustrates the operation of amethod, and a result of execution of computer program instructions, inaccordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention. Inaccordance with these exemplary embodiments a method performs, at block610, instructions comprising an indication of signal characteristics ofa locating signal from a first device (e.g., UE 210) are sent to aplurality of signal receiving devices (e.g., LMU1 410, LMU2 420, LMUn430, etc.). Locating signal information is received from at least threeof the signal receiving devices at block 620. At block 630, a locationof the first device is determined based at least in part on the receivedlocating signal information. Additionally, the location may bedetermined at least in part on the signal characteristics (e.g.,allocated time domain characteristics). The location of the first deviceis output at block 640.

FIG. 7 is a logic flow diagram that illustrates the operation of anothermethod, and a result of execution of computer program instructions, inaccordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention. Inaccordance with these exemplary embodiments a method performs, at block710, instructions comprising an indication of signal characteristics ofa locating signal from a first device (e.g., UE 210) are received. Thelocating signal from the first device is received at block 720. At block730, locating signal information based at least in part on the receivedlocating signal is determined. Additionally, the location may bedetermined at least in part on the signal characteristics (e.g.,allocated time domain characteristics).The locating signal informationis sent to a second device (e.g., LE 440) at block 740.

The various blocks shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be viewed as method steps,and/or as operations that result from operation of computer programcode, and/or as a plurality of coupled logic circuit elementsconstructed to carry out the associated function(s).

In general, the various exemplary embodiments may be implemented inhardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combinationthereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, whileother aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may beexecuted by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device,although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects ofthe exemplary embodiments of this invention may be illustrated anddescribed as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorialrepresentation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus,systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in,as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purposecircuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or othercomputing devices, or some combination thereof.

It should thus be appreciated that at least some aspects of theexemplary embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in variouscomponents such as integrated circuit chips and modules, and that theexemplary embodiments of this invention may be realized in an apparatusthat is embodied as an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, orcircuits, may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) forembodying at least one or more of a data processor or data processors, adigital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radiofrequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordancewith the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplaryembodiments of this invention may become apparent to those skilled inthe relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and allmodifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting andexemplary embodiments of this invention.

For example, while the exemplary embodiments have been described abovein the context of the EUTRAN (UTRAN-LTE) system, it should beappreciated that the exemplary embodiments of this invention are notlimited for use with only this one particular type of wirelesscommunication system, and that they may be used to advantage in otherwireless communication systems such as for example (UTRAN, GSM, WCDMA,etc.).

It should be noted that the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variantthereof, mean any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect,between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one ormore intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or“coupled” together. The coupling or connection between the elements canbe physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As employed herein twoelements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” together bythe use of one or more wires, cables and/or printed electricalconnections, as well as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such aselectromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region,the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible)region, as several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

Further, the various names used for the described parameters (e.g., CQI,etc.) are not intended to be limiting in any respect, as theseparameters may be identified by any suitable names. Further, theformulas and expressions that use these various parameters may differfrom those expressly disclosed herein. Further, the various namesassigned to different channels (e.g., PRACH, etc.) are not intended tobe limiting in any respect, as these various channels may be identifiedby any suitable names.

Furthermore, some of the features of the various non-limiting andexemplary embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage withoutthe corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoingdescription should be considered as merely illustrative of theprinciples, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, andnot in limitation thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user equipment comprising: a receiver and aprocessor configured to receive a radio resource control (RRC) signalincluding uplink (UL) sounding reference signal (SRS) configurationinformation; and the receiver and the processor further configured toreceive a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) message to initiatetransmission of UL SRSs; and the processor and a transmitter configuredto transmit UL SRSs in a time and frequency pattern based on the UL SRSconfiguration information and the SPS message.
 2. The user equipment ofclaim 1, wherein the RRC signal is a dedicated RRC signal.
 3. The userequipment of claim 1, wherein the RRC signal is a broadcast RRC signal.4. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the receiver and the processorare further configured to receive a first message to transmit periodicUL SRS, and the transmitter and the processor are further configured totransmit periodic UL SRS in response to the received first message. 5.The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the SPS message includes areference to a signal characteristic.
 6. The user equipment of claim 1,wherein the transmitter and the processor are further configured totransmit a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) with a demodulationreference signal.
 7. A method for use in a user equipment, the methodcomprising: receiving, by the user equipment, a radio resource control(RRC) signal including uplink (UL) sounding reference signal (SRS)configuration information; receiving, by the user equipment, asemi-persistent scheduling (SPS) message to initiate transmission of ULSRSs; and transmitting, by the user equipment, UL SRSs in a time andfrequency pattern based on the UL SRS configuration information and theSPS message.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the RRC signal is adedicated RRC signal.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the RRC signalis a broadcast RRC signal.
 10. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: receiving, by the user equipment, a first message totransmit periodic UL SRS; and transmitting, by the user equipment,periodic UL SRS in response to the received first message.
 11. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the SPS message includes a reference to asignal characteristic.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:transmitting, by the UE, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) with ademodulation reference signal.